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Past winners' testimonials: Shirahime Past winners' testimonials: Shirahime
(6 days later)
Shirahime is a blog that complements the typical, style-oriented fashion publication by providing thoroughly researched background insights, and shedding a critical light onto what is going on in the broad area of sustainability and ethics in the fashion and clothing industry.Shirahime is a blog that complements the typical, style-oriented fashion publication by providing thoroughly researched background insights, and shedding a critical light onto what is going on in the broad area of sustainability and ethics in the fashion and clothing industry.
What has winning at the Observer Ethical Awards meant for your project?What has winning at the Observer Ethical Awards meant for your project?
The winning of the award could be looked at on two levels: the impact it had on Shirahime directly, and the doors it opened for me personally.The winning of the award could be looked at on two levels: the impact it had on Shirahime directly, and the doors it opened for me personally.
Shirahime was at the time ‘just’ my own personal outlet for thoughts and analysis on the issues of sustainability in fashion. I spend a lot of time researching and trying to get to the bottom of issues.Shirahime was at the time ‘just’ my own personal outlet for thoughts and analysis on the issues of sustainability in fashion. I spend a lot of time researching and trying to get to the bottom of issues.
Related: Observer Ethical Awards 2015 - nominate now
After winning the award, in many ways, getting access to the information I needed, or felt I needed, became easier. Whether it be relevant events, or contacts.After winning the award, in many ways, getting access to the information I needed, or felt I needed, became easier. Whether it be relevant events, or contacts.
In the bigger picture hence, it opened first doors for me professionally – Shirahime had become officially the business card to my expertise.In the bigger picture hence, it opened first doors for me professionally – Shirahime had become officially the business card to my expertise.
Third but certainly not least, it was the boost in self-confidence that I needed. The industry is a difficult one to get into, and more so if one passionate about sustainability – which after all is about changing the status quo. The award was a confidence boost, and the confirmation of that I had something relevant to contribute.Third but certainly not least, it was the boost in self-confidence that I needed. The industry is a difficult one to get into, and more so if one passionate about sustainability – which after all is about changing the status quo. The award was a confidence boost, and the confirmation of that I had something relevant to contribute.
What have you gone on to do since winning the award?What have you gone on to do since winning the award?
Shirahime was born out of a combination of a passion for sustainability on the one hand, and an equal passion for textiles on the other. My goal at the time was, and this remains ultimately the same, to enable companies to change towards ‘being good’.Shirahime was born out of a combination of a passion for sustainability on the one hand, and an equal passion for textiles on the other. My goal at the time was, and this remains ultimately the same, to enable companies to change towards ‘being good’.
Over time I’ve worked with larger and more varied types of fashion or textile related business to help them changing their ways.Over time I’ve worked with larger and more varied types of fashion or textile related business to help them changing their ways.
Right now I am the CSR and sustainability manager at the European Outdoor Group, the association of internationally operating outdoor brands and retailers in Europe. In a sense, I am where I envisioned to get to at the time Shirahime won the award. In my role my aim is to foster and support brand’s sustainability-related initiatives. This could be by informing them on new technologies, or I might be their ‘help desk’ to discuss their issues in detail 1:1, or I represent their needs in more global organisations such as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition.Right now I am the CSR and sustainability manager at the European Outdoor Group, the association of internationally operating outdoor brands and retailers in Europe. In a sense, I am where I envisioned to get to at the time Shirahime won the award. In my role my aim is to foster and support brand’s sustainability-related initiatives. This could be by informing them on new technologies, or I might be their ‘help desk’ to discuss their issues in detail 1:1, or I represent their needs in more global organisations such as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition.
What challenges have you had to face in regards to your project (or indeed in your life) since the award?What challenges have you had to face in regards to your project (or indeed in your life) since the award?
There are always two sides to a coin. One principle characteristic of Shirahime is that facts are not embellished, but lined out straight ‘as they are’. Equally, portraits only talk about brands or individuals that are indeed unique. In this aspect, Shirahime’s voice is very similar to my own point of view. Suffice to say that this approach is not always ‘politically correct’.There are always two sides to a coin. One principle characteristic of Shirahime is that facts are not embellished, but lined out straight ‘as they are’. Equally, portraits only talk about brands or individuals that are indeed unique. In this aspect, Shirahime’s voice is very similar to my own point of view. Suffice to say that this approach is not always ‘politically correct’.
Have there been any nice surprises along the way?Have there been any nice surprises along the way?
Plenty. Indeed so many it’s difficult to do justice to every person and event.Plenty. Indeed so many it’s difficult to do justice to every person and event.
I have met many highly committed individuals that truly walk the talk every minute of their lives. And also people who have developed into friends, who are at a phone call’s reach when all I need is a chat. Also, the fact that my passion for turning the textiles and fashion industry into a truly sustainable economic player – across all dimensions, notably of course environmentally and socially – remains as strong as ever is a bit of a surprise. You would expect that the ‘fire’ dwindles a bit over time – after all there is no such thing as a real, ultimate and final solution to the issues we encounter. Yet – the contrary is the case. The topic never ceases to fascinate me, time and over again.I have met many highly committed individuals that truly walk the talk every minute of their lives. And also people who have developed into friends, who are at a phone call’s reach when all I need is a chat. Also, the fact that my passion for turning the textiles and fashion industry into a truly sustainable economic player – across all dimensions, notably of course environmentally and socially – remains as strong as ever is a bit of a surprise. You would expect that the ‘fire’ dwindles a bit over time – after all there is no such thing as a real, ultimate and final solution to the issues we encounter. Yet – the contrary is the case. The topic never ceases to fascinate me, time and over again.
Do you have any advice for other people who are thinking of entering the awards about what makes a great entry?Do you have any advice for other people who are thinking of entering the awards about what makes a great entry?
I think it is a good balance of two things:I think it is a good balance of two things:
A good human story – passion, commitment, and a vision where the endeavour shall take you to. The story needs to show that you really, really care about the work or project you submit.A good human story – passion, commitment, and a vision where the endeavour shall take you to. The story needs to show that you really, really care about the work or project you submit.
But the story needs to be backed up by some concrete things that have been achieved already. The ‘data, facts, figures’ if you wish. Just to show that you indeed mean business.But the story needs to be backed up by some concrete things that have been achieved already. The ‘data, facts, figures’ if you wish. Just to show that you indeed mean business.
Just one side of the above taken alone is not enough. Although: one side likely will be stronger than the other, and there is nothing wrong with that.Just one side of the above taken alone is not enough. Although: one side likely will be stronger than the other, and there is nothing wrong with that.
There is a last ingredient, come to think of it: A vision of the ‘bigger picture’. Where this project shall lead to. What will come later? What will the next big step be? And the one after that?There is a last ingredient, come to think of it: A vision of the ‘bigger picture’. Where this project shall lead to. What will come later? What will the next big step be? And the one after that?
What does being ‘ethical’ mean to you?What does being ‘ethical’ mean to you?
For me ‘ethical’ is a set of values – and consequently also actions – that align with ‘sustainability’.For me ‘ethical’ is a set of values – and consequently also actions – that align with ‘sustainability’.
‘Sustainability’ – and here I borrow from the Brundtland report – is a “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”‘Sustainability’ – and here I borrow from the Brundtland report – is a “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
The needs mentioned above are not just those of human beings in different geographies, but also that of our fauna and flora.The needs mentioned above are not just those of human beings in different geographies, but also that of our fauna and flora.
The key though is ‘walking the talk’. ‘Ethical’ becomes totally use- and meaningless unless it’s meaning, the values that go with the term, are lived and practised. Constantly.The key though is ‘walking the talk’. ‘Ethical’ becomes totally use- and meaningless unless it’s meaning, the values that go with the term, are lived and practised. Constantly.